A real attention-getter
Sun’s Jones draws praise from WNBA legends Bird, Taurasi for her play in All-Star Game
Mohegan — Jonquel Jones is not afraid of heights. The second-year Connecticut Sun center rose to the top of Seattle's Space Needle as part of the recent WNBA All-Star Game festivities.
"There was a video of this guy," Jones said, "he was strapped in and he walked around the outside ring of (the Needle). I really want to do that, but obviously I wouldn't do it during the season."
Talking to Diana Taurasi, now that was nerve-racking for Jones. Sun general manager Amber Cox had to beckon Jones to come over and talk to Taurasi while the two were having a conversation at an event last Friday.
"I said (to Taurasi), 'I'm so cool on the outside, but on the inside, I'm tripping out right now'," Jones said. "She was like, 'it's okay. It's okay.' She was really down to earth. It was good.
"It's like the (NBA) rookie being talked to by Kobe (Bryant). I was definitely star-struck."
Connecticut (12-9) hosts to the suddenly
CHICAGO SKY AT CONNECTICUT SUN 7 p.m. Mohegan Sun Arena, no TV
surging Chicago Sky on Tuesday in its first game back from the All-Star break (7 p.m., Mohegan Sun Arena).
Jones had no break and instead had a dream All-Star experience. She Jones used her unique skills to wow fans and players alike, whether it was getting a rebound and bringing the ball up like a point guard, or making 3-pointers.
Jones made 10 of 15 shots, including three 3-pointers, and had a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds for the East.
The WNBA website ran a story afterward the game with the headline, "Jonquel Jones epitomizes bright future of WNBA."
Taurasi was asked after the game which of the new players stuck out the most to her.
"Jonquel Jones is going to be a problem in this league for a long time," Taurasi said. "With her stature and the way she can handle the ball, shoot the ball, she works so easy on the court, and I just think she's got a really bright future."
"Yeah, that skill set at that height," Sue Bird added. "She just flows out there. It's fun to watch. She did great."
Jones punctuated her performance in the final seconds with everyone clearing the way for her to dunk.
"They (the players) wanted me to do it in warmups, but I didn't really feel warm enough yet," Jones said. "Diana Taurasi (late in the game) was like, 'you got one in you?' And I was like, 'yeah, I got one in me.'
"Me and my brother were just chilling in my room after the game. SportsCenter was on, and I saw (the dunk) came on at number five (in its plays of the day). We started going crazy, jumping around and screaming. People were probably passing the room like, 'what the heck is going on in there? Let's call the police of something,' because we were acting so stupid."
Jones is the Sun's top scorer (15.8 ppg) and averages a league-leading 11.2 rebounds.
"Everything is just more comfortable for her, and because of that, the game slows down," Connecticut head coach Curt Miller said. "She's really taken off as a rebounder, and she gets beat up every night. But she's handling the physicality of the game better and quicker than we anticipated.
"She gets frustrated (at times), and there are nights they get the best of her and they're beating her up, but she's finding ways to be productive."
Chicago (8-13) is the hottest team in the WNBA after a disappointing start.
The Sky have won five of their last six, including wins over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx (10076) and defending WNBA champion Los Angeles Sparks (82-80). They're the only team to beat both Western Conference powers.
"(Courtney) Vandersloot (league-leading 7.3 assists per game is playing like the best point guard in the world right now," Miller said. "Allie Quigley (16.6 ppg, 44.3 3-point percentage) is as hot as any shooter there is in the league. (Stefanie) Dolson (13.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg) is a multi-talented, versatile weapon. … They're a team that no one is looking forward to playing."